Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:35): I really do reject the premise of the argument that Senator Simms is putting, in terms of suggesting that the government is mounting some deregulation agenda that is saddling students with ever more debt. What the government wants to do is ensure that we have funding mechanisms that are sustainable for our universities, that we have funding mechanisms that do encourage excellence within those universities and that we have systems in place to support equity of access for all students. That is why we remain committed to ensuring that students do not face upfront fees going into university and that they do have what is the world's most generous program in terms of student loans and the way in which those loans repaid. Students around Australia and their families should be confident that in the future— Senator Simms: Mr President, on a point of order: with respect, I did ask the minister whether he would commit to increasing youth allowance. He still has not answered the question. The PRESIDENT: I remind the minister of the question. Minister, you have 13 seconds in which to answer. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Coupled with the generosity of support for students in addressing their fees, the Australian government provides income support for a range of different categories, including youth allowance. Senator Simms, if you want to increase those payments, you better come to the parliament with ways to pay for them. (Time expired)